Mentoring the next generation

First Church’s current mentoring program

First Church is now in its second year partnering with Anderson Elementary in its mentoring program. We have approximately 30 mentors meeting weekly with students at Anderson. These mentors eat lunch with the students each week. These sessions also include reading, games or other social activities. The mentoring time is organized around the students’ lunch and recess period. This allows the mentors approximately 45 minutes per visit with the student.

The mentoring program has also allowed First Church to expand our relationship with First Baptist Church North Tulsa. Our churches have a long history of partnering on mission endeavors. First Baptist Church North Tulsa is a crucial partner in our mentoring program and a wonderful ministry partner for First Church.

We have also continued our community nights at Anderson Elementary. We invite the school and the surrounding neighbors to join us once a month for a hot dog cookout and bingo games. Community nights provide an opportunity to meet parents and other members of the neighborhood. They are also a great way for other First Church members to participate when they are unable to commit to being a part of the mentoring program.

The deacons also host Celebrate Christmas Together each Christmas season at the school including a Christmas party where each student is given a gift bag with a sweatshirt, game, book, Bible and socks. The Anderson students love the party and greatly appreciate the deacons’ efforts.

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First Church also assists with various other aspects at Anderson. We regularly provide meals for the teachers and supplies for the classrooms. We provide some uniforms for the children and have assisted with scholarships for Anderson children to attend summer camp at Camp Loughridge.

The mentoring program also sponsors the fundraising and recruiting events each year at the church with a ping pong tournament in the summer and a chili cookoff in the winter. These are fun events that raise awareness of our Anderson ministries, as well as raise valuable money to assist the mission.

Masterwork Academy

Masterwork Academy celebrated five years of ministry on July 27, 2022. In June, Dr. Malcolm McGuire joined the team, taking on the role of principal. His experience in educational leadership and the arts, combined with his deeply rooted faith, make him a perfect fit for this leadership role.

Enrollment for the 2022-2023 school year has been between 45-57 with an average daily attendance of 33 students. In the spring, we transitioned to a block schedule and added theater to our core set of artistic disciplines. Student groups now rotate through Masterwork Academy’s four disciplines (theater, music, dance and visual art) in twoweek blocks. Students and teachers, alike, have enjoyed the change. The focus on a single art form for two weeks has enabled students to develop their technique as they pursue mastery. Students still have Bible class one day every week, dividing that time between Bible and faith and fitness.

Masterwork needs champions for our children! If you are available any afternoon between 3 p.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, we’d love to welcome you to the team. Email Laura Voth at lvoth@masterworkacademy.org or call 918-954-1103.

Encouragement to get involved

We have numerous ways for you to become involved at Anderson. If you are available in the afternoon, Masterwork always needs people to help with the children. If you can come to a lunch once a week, you can build a relationship with one of the wonderful Anderson students. Even going to a Community Night is a great opportunity to get to know the people in the Anderson community.

If you’d like to volunteer to be a lunch buddy, please contact Hannah Damron at hdamron@firstchurchtulsa.org or call 918-584-4701. If you need any additional information, please contact Cindy DeVore, Jimmy Inhofe, DD Blackman, Susan Huffman, Malcom McGuire or Jenette McEntire.

About the author: Tom is Pam’s husband, Erin’s and Kathryn’s dad, and Kate’s and James’ grandfather. He has been worshiping at First Church for over 10 years. He is a former deacon and elder of First Church.